Influence of phenolic compounds on the mechanisms of pyrazinium radical generation in the Maillard reaction

The generation of pyrazinium radical cations during the early stages of the Maillard reaction has been previously demonstrated. In this study, the effect of food phenolic compounds [4-methylcatechol (4-MeC), (+)-catechin (CAT), and (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG)] on the fate of these intermediates in Maillard model systems was investigated. Aqueous solutions containing either glyoxal + alanine (GO-A) or glycolaldehyde + alanine (GA-A) were treated with a concentration gradient of each phenolic compound, and quantitative analysis of the resulting pyrazinium radicals in these models was performed using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. CAT and EGCG were observed to affect pyrazinium radical generation rates, in some cases either enhancing or suppressing formation depending on concentration, whereas the simple catechol (4-MeC) had no such effect. A mechanistic study was carried out by LC-MS, which suggested that under some conditions, CAT and EGCG react with imine intermediates via their A-rings, thus influencing the formation of the enaminol radical precursor and, ultimately, pyrazinium radicals. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating imine trapping by phenolic compounds under Maillard conditions and how such phenolic quenching reactions can alter pyrazinium radical formation.     

Radical-assisted melanoidin formation during thermal processing of foods as well as under physiological conditions

Color-generating reactions of protein-bound lysine with carbohydrates were studied under thermal as well as under physiological conditions to gain insights into the role of protein/carbohydrate reactions in the formation of food melanoidins as well as nonenzymatic browning products in vivo. EPR spectroscopy of orange-brown melanoidins, which were isolated from heated aqueous solutions of bovine serum albumin and glycolaldehyde, revealed the protein-bound 1,4-bis(5-amino-5-carboxy-1-pentyl)pyrazinium radical cation (CROSSPY) as a previously unknown type of cross-linking amino acid leading to protein dimerization. To verify their formation in foods, wheat bread crust and roasted cocoa as well as coffee beans, showing elevated nonenzymatic browning, were investigated by EPR spectroscopy. An intense radical was detected, which, by comparison with the radical formed upon reaction bovine serum albumin with glycolaldehyde, was identified as the protein-bound CROSSPY. The radical-assisted protein oligomerization as well as the browning of bovine serum albumin in the presence of glycolaldehyde occurred also rapidly under physiological conditions, thereby suggesting CROSSPY formation to be probably involved also in nonenzymatic glycation reactions in vivo.     

Chemical interactions between odor-active thiols and melanoidins involved in the aroma staling of coffee beverages.

Comparative aroma dilution analyses of the headspaces of aqueous solutions containing either the total volatiles isolated from a fresh coffee brew, or these volatiles remixed with the melanoidins isolated from coffee brew, revealed a drastic decrease in the concentrations of the odorous thiols 2-furfurylthiol, 3-methyl-2-butenthiol, 3-mercapto-3-methylbutyl formate, 2-methyl-3-furanthiol, and methanethiol when melanoidins were present. Among these thiols, 2-furfurylthiol was affected the most: e.g., its concentration decreased by a factor of 16 upon addition of melanoidins. This was accompanied by a decrease in the overall roasty-sulfury aroma. Quantitations performed by means of stable isotope dilution assays confirmed the rapid loss of all thiols with increasing time while keeping the coffee brew warm in a thermos flask. Using [2H2]-2-furfurylthiol as an example, [2H]-NMR and LC/MS spectroscopy gave strong evidence that thiols are covalently bound to the coffee melanoidins via Maillard-derived pyrazinium compounds formed as oxidation products of 1,4-bis-(5-amino-5-carboxy-1-pentyl)pyrazinium radical cations (CROSSPY). Using synthetic 1,4-diethyl diquaternary pyrazinium ions and 2-furfurylthiol, it was shown that 2-(2-furyl)methylthio-1,4-dihydro-pyrazines, bis[2-(2-furyl)methylthio]-1,4-dihydro-pyrazines, and 2-(2-furyl)methylthio-hydroxy-1,4-dihydro-pyrazines were formed as the primary reaction products. Similar results were obtained for models in which either 1,4-diethyl diquaternary pyrazinium ions were substituted by Nalpha-acetyl-L-lysine/glycolaldehyde, or the 2-furfurylthiol by 2-methyl-3-furanthiol and 3-mercapto-3-methylbutyl formate. On the basis of these results it can be concluded that the CROSSPY-derived pyrazinium intermediates are involved in the rapid covalent binding of odorous thiols to melanoidins, and, consequently, are responsible for the decrease in the sulfury-roasty odor quality observed shortly after preparation of the coffee brew.     

Formation of a novel colored product during the Maillard reaction of D-glucose

Reactions between reducing sugars and proteins or amino acids (Maillard reaction) lead to the formation of yellow to brown products (melanoidins) that are important for food preparation and processing, such as baking, roasting, or malt production. Thus far, the structures of the melanoidins have not been elucidated, although some structural insights have been gained from model reactions. In this study, D-glucose was heated with an amine and two colored compounds were detected by HPLC/UV--vis. After purification, the main product was identified as [(4aS,6R,7S,8R,8aR)-4,4a,6,7,8,8a-hexahydro-7,8-dihydroxy-6-hydroxymethyl-1,4-dipropyl-1H-pyrano[2,3-b]pyrazine-2-yl]-1-hydroxy-3-buten-2-one (1a). For the minor compound (2a), some spectral data were obtained, but the structure was not fully characterized. 1a and 2a are the main colored compounds when the reaction is performed in alcoholic solution or on a cellulose surface. Thus, it was concluded that products with an analogous structure are important for the color formation of foodstuffs with low water activity.     

Characterization of key chromophores formed by nonenzymatic browning of hexoses and L-alanine by using the color activity concept

Thermal treatment of an aqueous solution of D-glucose and L-alanine in the presence of the carbohydrate degradation product furan-2-aldehyde resulted in the formation of a variety of colored compounds, among which (Z)-2-[(2-furyl)methylidene]-5, 6-di(2-furyl)-6H-pyran-3-one (I), [E]- and [Z]-1, 2-bis(2-furyl)-1-pentene-3,4-dione (IIa/IIb), 4, 5-bis(2-furyl)-2-methyl-3H-furan-2-one (III), and (S,S)- and (S, R)-2-[4, 5-bis(2-furyl)-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-3(2H)-pyrrol-1-yl]propionic acid (IVa/IVb) as well as 2-[(2-furyl)methylidene]-4-hydroxy-5-[(E)-(2-furyl)methylidene]methyl -2H-furan-3-one (V) were successfully identified as the most intense by application of the color dilution analysis. To measure the contribution of these colorants to the overall color of the browned Maillard mixture, color activity values were calculated as the ratio of the concentration to the visual detection threshold of each colorant. By application of this color activity concept, 16.0% of the overall color of the Maillard mixture accounted for these five types of colorants, thus confirming them as key chromophores. On the basis of synthetic model experiments, the formation pathways leading to the chromophores IIa/IIb, III, and IVa/IVb were proposed.     

Antiradical properties of red wine portisins

The free radical chemistry of two polyphenolic pigments from red wine, belonging to the family of portisins, has been investigated after reaction with O(2)(?-) radicals using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Two portisins derived from malvidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-glucoside were used for this study. Stable free radicals were detected with both portisins and correspond to unpaired electrons localized on the B as well as F rings of the portisins. Interpretations were confirmed by comparison with the spectra of free radicals formed by oxidation of the model compounds cyanidin-3-glucoside, malvidin-3-glucoside, and catechin. These results concur with previous work reporting the higher antiradical properties of these pigments compared to their anthocyanin precursors.     

Antioxidant activity of Sempervivum tectorum and its components

The antioxidant properties of components of leaf extracts of the evergreen plant, Sempervivum tectorum (ST), have been evaluated using UV irradiated liposomal systems containing the spin trap 5-(diethoxyphosphoryl)-5-methyl-pyrroline-N-oxide. Decreases in free radical activity in the liposomal systems as measured by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy demonstrate that the lipophilic ST juice components, kaempferol (KA) and kaempferol-3-glucoside (KG) contribute significantly to the antioxidant properties of the juice. EPR spectral simulation established the presence of oxygen and carbon centered free radical adducts. The mixtures with low pH, citric and malic acid, and ST juice reveal increased EPR signals from oxygen centered radicals in comparison to the control, pointing to the important role of pH in oxygen radical formation. Parallel assays that measured thiobarbituric acid related substances confirm the antioxidant effects of KA and KG and explain the results of spin trapping experiments complicated by low pH's.     

Chemistry of color formation during rooibos fermentation

Nonenzymatic oxidative degradation of aspalathin, a dihydrochalcone unique to green rooibos (Aspalathus linearis), resulted in formation of the characteristic red-brown color of processed rooibos tea. As recently reported, two colorless dimers were formed by oxidative coupling. Incubations of aspalathin showed further distinct signals. Isolation by multilayer countercurrent chromatography (MLCCC) followed by preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) led to pure substances. Subsequent analysis by NMR and MS techniques identified a third colorless dimeric compound. In addition for the first time, two colored structures with dibenzofuran skeleton, (S)- and (R)-3-(7,9-dihydroxy-2,3-dioxo-6-β-d-glucopyranosyl-3,4-dihydrodibenzo[b,d]furan-4a(2H)-yl) propionic acid, and their corresponding mechanistic precursors were unequivocally established. Color-dilution analysis revealed these compounds as the key chromophores of the incubated aspalathin solutions, ultimately being degraded to unknown, more stable tannin-like structures. Their mechanistic importance to color formation was further underlined by detection of the dibenzofurans also in fermented rooibos tea after trapping with o-phenylenediamine as their corresponding quinoxaline derivatives.     

Interactions between cyanidin 3-O-glucoside and furfural derivatives and their impact on food color changes

The reaction between (+)-catechin and cyanidin 3-O-glucoside was investigated in the presence of furfural and 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural using LC/DAD and LC/MS analysis, and the obtained results were compared with those recorded with malvidin 3-O-glucoside. The appearance of colorless and red and yellow compounds was observed showing that the two polyphenols competed in the condensation process with a predominant formation of the reddish adducts. The colored compounds formed in the case of cyanidin 3-O-glucoside seemed to be more stable than those formed when the reaction was conducted with malvidin 3-O-glucoside. The detection of these reddish and yellowish compounds constitutes a new support for the contribution of this kind of reaction in the color evolution of fruit-derived beverages. In addition, other unidentified compounds were also detected, showing the occurrence of other interaction pathways in addition to the polymerization process yielding oligomeric bridged derivatives and opening perspectives of further investigations of these model solutions.     

Reactivity of beer bitter acids toward the 1-hydroxyethyl radical as probed by spin-trapping electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS)

The iso-α-acids or isohumulones are the major contributors to the bitter taste of beer, and it is well-recognized that they are degraded during beer aging. In particular, the trans-isohumulones seem to be less stable than the cis-isohumulones. The major radical identified in beer is the 1-hydroxyethyl radical; however, the reactivity between this radical and the isohumulones has not been reported until now. Therefore, we studied the reactivity of isohumulones toward the 1-hydroxyethyl radical through a competitive kinetic approach. It was observed that both cis- and trans-isohumulones and dihydroisohumulones are decomposed in the presence of 1-hydroxyethyl radicals, while the reactivities are comparable. On the other hand, the tetrahydroisohumulones did not react with 1-hydroxyethyl radicals. The apparent second-order rate constants for the reactions between the 1-hydroxyethyl radical and these compounds were determined by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry [ESI(+)-MS/MS]. It follows that degradation of beer bitter acids is highly influenced by the presence of 1-hydroxyethyl radicals. The reaction products were detected by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-ion trap-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-IT-MS/MS), and the formation of oxidized derivatives of the isohumulones was confirmed. These data help to understand the mechanism of beer degradation upon aging.     

Epicatechin carbonyl-trapping reactions in aqueous maillard systems: Identification and structural elucidation

Recently, our group reported via labeling experiments that epicatechin in Maillard reaction aqueous glucose-glycine model systems formed adduct reaction products with C2, C3, and C4 sugar fragments. In the current study, we investigated the identity of the sugar fragment precursors responsible for adduct generation by directly comparing the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry properties of these reported epicatechin (EC)-sugar fragments adducts with those generated from reactions consisting of only EC and well-known Maillard-generated glucose fragments (i.e., glyoxal, glycolaldehyde, methylglyoxal, glyceraldehyde, etc.). The structural properties of an EC-methylglyoxal adduct reaction product were also analyzed by NMR. The most likely precursors for the C2, C3, and C4 sugar moiety of the EC-sugar fragment adducts were identified as glyoxal, hydroxyacetone, and erythrose, respectively. 1H NMR analysis of the EC-methylglyoxal indicated that the analyte underwent rapid conformational/constitutional exchange. Using cold temperature (-25 degrees C) two-dimensional NMR analyses (heteronuclear multiple bond coherence, heteronuclear multiple quantum coherence, and 1H-(1)H correlation spectroscopy), the structure of one of the isomers was reported to consist of a covalent linkage between the C1 position of the methylglyoxal and either the C6 or the C8 position of the EC A ring, presumably generated by hydroxyalkylation and aromatic substitution reactions.     

Lactoperoxidase-induced protein oxidation in milk

The reaction between lactoperoxidase (LPO) and H(2)O(2) in the presence of bovine serum albumin (BSA), beta-lactoglobulin, or casein was investigated for the formation of protein radicals by freeze-quench electron spin resonance (ESR) and by the formation of the protein oxidation product, dityrosine. The presence of BSA resulted in a dramatic change after 1 min of reaction in the obtained ESR spectrum compared with the spectrum obtained for LPO and H(2)O(2) alone. Furthermore, experiments employing BSA or beta-lactoglobulin resulted in the formation of long-lived protein radicals detectable 10 min after initiation of the reaction. The presence of casein resulted in a minor change in the fine structure of the ESR spectrum after 1 min of reaction compared with LPO and H(2)O(2) alone, but no difference between the two reaction mixtures could be observed after 10 min of reaction. The formation of dityrosine could be detected in reaction mixtures containing LPO and H(2)O(2) after 1 and 10 min of incubation at 25 degrees C both in the absence and in the presence of BSA, beta-lactoglobulin, or casein. The presence of casein resulted in an increased dityrosine concentration compared with the reaction with LPO and H(2)O(2) alone. Endogenous LPO in unpasteurized milk was activated at 25 degrees C by adding 1 mM H(2)O(2). Radical species could be detected directly in the milk by freeze-quench ESR during the initial phase of the reaction, and dityrosine could be measured after 4 h of incubation. The role of LPO activity in the formation of ESR detectable radical species and dityrosine in milk was further verified in ultrahigh temperature (UHT) milk with no endogenous enzyme activity, as the formation of ESR detectable radical species and dityrosine took place in UHT milk only upon the addition of both H(2)O(2) and exogenous LPO.     

Structure determination of a novel 3(6H)-pyranone chromophore and clarification of its formation from carbohydrates and primary amino acids

An intensely orange compound, which has recently been evaluated as one of the main colored compounds formed in Maillard reactions of hexoses, could be unequivocally identified as (Z)-2-[(2-furyl)methylidene]-5,6-di(2-furyl)-6H-pyran-3-one (1) by application of several NMR and LC-MS experiments. To clarify its formation, the effectiveness of certain carbohydrate degradation products as precursors of 1 was studied in a quantitative experiment demonstrating hydroxy-2-propanone, furan-2-aldehyde, and 3-deoxy-2-hexosulose as precursors of the colorant. Site-specific labeling experiments with D-1-[(13)C]glucose and D-6-[(13)C]glucose, respectively, were performed to elucidate the formation pathway of 1 involving a cleavage of the hexose skeleton between carbon atoms C(5) and C(6). In addition, pentoses could be shown to generate 1 via a similar formation pathway involving the 3-deoxy-2-pentosulose.     

Study of the reactions between (+)-catechin and furfural derivatives in the presence or absence of anthocyanins and their implication in food color change

(+)-catechin was separately incubated with furfural or with 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural, and the formation of new oligomeric bridged compounds having flavanol units linked by furfuryl or 5-hydroxymethylfurfuryl groups was observed. LC/ESI-MS analyses detected four dimeric adducts along with intermediate adducts in each solution, and reaction was faster with furfural than with hydroxymethylfurfural. In addition, new compounds exhibiting the same UV--visible spectra as xanthylium salts with absorption maxima around 440 nm were also detected. When malvidin 3-O-glucoside or cyanidin 3-O-glucoside was added to the mixtures, new oligomeric colorless and colored pigments involving both (+)-catechin and anthocyanin moieties were detected, showing thus that the two polyphenols competed in the condensation process. Among the obtained colored pigment adducts, two dimeric compounds in which the flavanol was bridged to the anthocyanin were observed. Their UV-visible spectra were similar to the spectrum of malvidin 3-O-glucoside, but their maximum in the visible region was bathochromically shifted.     

Role of hydroxyl radicals and singlet oxygen in the formation of primary radicals in unsaturated lipids: a solid state electron paramagnetic resonance study

Primary radicals were generated by UV photolysis of samples of trilinolein, at 77 K and under a controlled atmosphere. The resulting EPR spectra clearly show that the amount of radicals is dependent on the purity of the lipid, the exposure to visible light in the presence of a photosensitizer and oxygen, and, finally, the presence of an antioxidant. These solid state EPR experiments indicate that if all of the elements for the production of singlet oxygen (Rose Bengal, molecular oxygen, and visible light) are not present, primary radicals are practically not generated. They also point out the various steps of the oxidation mechanism: formation of singlet oxygen, which reacts with the lipid to form a hydroperoxide; and photolytic formation of the hydroxyl radical, which reacts with the frozen lipid to generate primary lipidic radicals. This constitutes a new method for investigating lipid oxidation and studying the influence of photosensitizers and molecules that are likely to react with singlet oxygen.     

Radiolysis of kaempferol in water/methanol mixtures. Evaluation of antioxidant activity of kaempferol and products formed

Oxidative reaction between hydroxymethyl radical ((*)CH(2)OH) and kaempferol, in methanol and methanol/water mixtures, was studied by gamma-radiolysis using a (60)Co source. Radiolysis was performed with concentrations and doses ranging from 5 x 10(-)(5) M to 5 x 10(-)(3) M and from 0.5 kGy to 14 kGy, respectively. Kaempferol degradation was followed by HPLC. Results showed that (*)CH(2)OH reacts with kaempferol at the 3-OH group and produces two depsides (K1 and K2) and other products including K3. K1, K2, and K3 were identified by NMR, LC-MS, and HRMS. The kaempferol degradation pathway leading to the K1, K2, and K3 formation is proposed. It was observed that the more water concentration in the irradiation medium increases, the more K2 concentration increases. Comprehension of food preservation is not clear because many phenomena occurring during irradiation are not established. Radiolysis of kaempferol in water/methanol mixtures helps to elucidate the phenomenon and it is possible that during the treatment of nutriments by gamma-irradiation, a series of products such as depside K2 could be formed. Antioxidant properties of kaempferol radiolysis products were evaluated according to their capacity to decrease the EPR DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazil) signal and to inhibit superoxide radicals formed by the enzyme reaction "xanthine + xanthine oxidase".     

Characterization of free radicals in soluble coffee by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy

EPR spectra of soluble coffee display single-line free radical signals in both the solid state and aqueous solution, along with signals from the paramagnetic ions Fe(III) and Mn(II). The intensity of the free radical signal in the pure solid was estimated to be ca. 7.5 x 10(16) unpaired electrons/g, and there was no significant change on dissolution in water. In aqueous solutions, however, the free radical signal declined rapidly over ca. 10-15 min in the temperature range 20-65 degrees C, after which only slow changes were observed. This decline, which was essentially independent of atmosphere, was greatest for the lowest temperatures used, and the intensity after 1 h fitted well to an exponential curve with respect to temperature. The free radicals responsible for the single-peak EPR signal did not react with any of the spin traps tested in the present experiments, but unstable free radicals with parameters consistent with adducts of C-centered radicals were detected in coffee solutions in the presence of PBN and 4-POBN spin traps. The presence of oxygen in the solutions increased the initial rate of formation of these free radical adducts. No adducts were detected when DEPMPO was used as spin trap. However, *OH adducts of DEPMPO were shown to be unstable in the presence of coffee, a fact which illustrates the strong free radical scavenging ability of coffee solutions.     

Stabilization of the avicide 3-chloro-p-toluidine as the beta-cyclodextrin adduct.

Stabilization of the avicide 3-chloro-p-toluidine (CPTH) on rice baits by pseudo latex polymeric coating and beta-cyclodextin inclusion was investigated. When CPTH-treated rice baits were exposed to sunlight, the CPTH formed colored compounds, which exacerbated problems with bait acceptance and efficacy. Fluidized bed coating with controlled-release polymeric psuedo latexes (RS, RL, NE) reduced CPTH loss but did not eliminate color formation. Enteric pseudo latex coatings (CAP and 4110) gave mixed results. Coating 4110 reduced CPTH loss but still allowed color formation, whereas CAP allowed more CPTH loss than any other coating as well as increased color formation. Inclusion in beta-cyclodextrin (molar ratio 1:1) led to enhanced retention of CPTH and minimal color formation. The CPT/beta-cyclodextrin adduct increased retention of CPTH from 43 to 70% upon simulated weathering. The retention was independent of the adhesives used for attachment.     

Dityrosine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), and radical formation from tyrosine residues on milk proteins with globular and flexible structures as a result of riboflavin-mediated photo-oxidation

Riboflavin-mediated photo-oxidative damage to protein Tyr residues has been examined to determine whether protein structure influences competing protein oxidation pathways in single proteins and protein mixtures. EPR studies resulted in the detection of Tyr-derived o-semiquione radicals, with this species suggested to arise from oxidation of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA). The yield of this radical was lower in samples containing β-casein than in samples containing only globular proteins. Consistent with this observation, the yield of DOPA detected on β-casein was lower than that on two globular proteins, BSA and β-lactoglobulin. In contrast, samples with β-casein gave higher yields of dityrosine than samples containing BSA and β-lactoglobulin. These results indicate that the flexible structure of β-casein favors radical-radical termination of tyrosyl radicals to give dityrosine, whereas the less flexible structure of globular proteins decreases the propensity for tyrosyl radicals to dimerize, with this resulting in higher yields of DOPA and its secondary radical.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance investigations of free radicals in extra virgin olive oils

Free radicals in olive oils were identified and quantified by EPR, by means of the spin-trapping technique making use of alpha-phenylbutylnitrone (PBN) as spin trap. The radical species were identified as PBN-trapped hydroxyl radicals (PBN-*OH) in the water microdroplets inside the fat medium. The largest radical concentration was 12.5 microM identical with 100%. The following were the relative concentrations of the radicals under different conditions: (1) Two oils, produced by continuous centrifugation, aged for 1 year, showed a 25-30% increase in the radicals compared to nonaged oils; 1-year-old oil, produced by pressure, did not differ from the nonaged oil. (2) Radical production was markedly reduced by N(2) bubbling; it was increased by heating, whereas it showed a biphasic pattern by air bubbling over time. (3) Radical concentration as a function of the UV irradiation time increased up to a maximum, after which it decreased and finally remained constant. The phenolic and oxygen contents were related to the radical content. This study demonstrates that the EPR technique is suitably applied to the detection of free radicals in olive oil and that storage, handling, and stress conditions of the oils significantly influence the radical concentration.